Wild Review for December 2005

ACVB’s Nancy Klinski receives ATIA Lifetime Achievement Award

"Teacher," "mentor," "role model," "accomplished travel professional," "loyal," and "real Alaskan" were among the numerous accolades used to describe Nancy Klinski, tourism sales manager for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), when she received the coveted Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual banquet Oct. 5, 2005, at Alyeska Resort.

Since arriving in 1965, Klinski has worked in all aspects of the travel industry. Her extensive tourism background includes many aspects of the airline industry, from sales to marketing, management and operations. An entrepreneur, Klinski and a partner opened "Travel Management Resources," specializing in inbound convention and tour destination services in Alaska.

She put her love for teaching and mentoring to work by managing the first travel school in Alaska. She became a "Certified Travel Consultant" and later, an Alaska "Destination Specialist." She continues to encourage travel professionals to add the CTC program to their continuing education. She and her best friend, Anna Mae Rocker, were the first women to be invited to join SKAL in the 1970s. Today, she is the organization's president.

Klinski will celebrate 10 years with the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau in January 2006. As tourism sales manager, she promotes Anchorage to the European travel trade in the United Kingdom and to German-speaking Europeans. In the domestic markets, she promotes Anchorage as a year-round destination for travel agents and tour operators. Klinski loves adventure and the outdoors. She is a licensed pilot, commercial fisherman, mountain goat hunter, and avid equestrian.

Congratulations Nancy Klinski, an inspiration to all in the Alaska travel industry!

Taiwan Tour Operators Explore Anchorage on ATIA FAM

Ten representatives from Taiwanese travel companies experienced early winter in mid-November as part of the Alaska Travel Industry Association Taiwanese Tour Operator familiarization (fam) tour. The group started their Alaska adventure in Fairbanks on Nov. 10 and visited the Mat-Su Valley before arriving in Anchorage on Nov. 14.

This enthusiastic group was introduced to a variety of attractions, culture, shopping, dining and activities on a personalized city tour. They explored Turnagain Arm, Girdwood and Portage and saw glaciers, wildlife and spectacular views and the numerous winter recreational opportunities.

Thanks to the many ACVB members who hosted this fam, including the Hotel Captain Cook, the Hilton Anchorage Hotel, Alyeska Resort, The Bridge Salmon Bake & Grill, The Magic Bus, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Numerous Opportunities to Reach Adventure Travelers in Early 2006

Adventures in Travel Expo

Educate travel trade and consumers about your travel products this spring by participating in the Adventures in Travel Expo(tm) in Chicago, New York, Southern California and Washington, DC, in January and February 2006. Adventures in Travel Expo(tm) is one of the largest series of travel events serving adventure, active travel, eco, nature, culture and outdoor tourism professionals and consumers.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau will have a booth at four events this spring sharing information about Anchorage, southcentral Alaska and ACVB members. The first day of each trade show is devoted to travel trade - travel agents and tour operators - with the remaining days open for consumers.

For more information or to sign up to participate, contact the ACVB Tourism Sales Manager below. Not available to participate? No worries, provide ACVB with an update on your company, products and services and your TDS Team will do the talking.

1. Chicago, Jan. 6-8 Nancy Klinski,
   nklinski@anchorage.net
2. New York, Jan. 13-15 Nancy Klinski,
   nklinski@anchorage.net
3. Southern California, Jan. 28-29 Tania Hancock,
   thancock@anchorage.net
4. Washington, DC, Feb. 10-12 Tania Hancock,
   thancock@anchorage.net

VacationFest 2006

ACVB's Tourism Sales Manager Jody Overstreet will share information on Anchorage and southcentral Alaska with travel trade and consumers in Dallas, Texas, at the VacationFest 2006 trade show, Jan. 27-29. ACVB members are welcome to participate in this show, billed as the "largest consumer travel show in North Texas."

The event was so successful in 2005, the exhibit space was increased by 20,000 square feet. For information or to sign up to participate, contact Overstreet at joverstreet@anchorage.net